Closure for containers

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a closure for containers, especially for bottles, tubes, cans and the like with a pouring part and a pouring nozzle which can be fixed on the filling or pouring end of a container or which is shaped thereon and with a closure cap which can be engaged on the pouring part by means of a snap-in device, the closure cap consisting of a flexible jacket and a sealing part acting on the pouring part.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,869,152

Marti Jan. 14, 1975 CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS 3,136,458 6/1964 Ruetz 222/498 3,194,453 7/1965 Cherba 222/545 X [76] passwangstrasse 3,282,477 11/1966 Henchert i 222/498 X Breltenbach, swltlefland 4226 3,341,046 9/1967 Bercziat 222 546 x 22 Filed: June 6, 973 3,586,l97 6/l97l Vlvas 215/46 R X PP N04 367,375 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-J0hn P. Shannon [30] Foreign Application priority Data Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Larson, Taylor & Hinds J 7,1972 S l d 844 2 une witzer an 4/7 [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 222/545, 215/41, 215/46 R, The present invention relates to a closure for contain- 222/562 ers, especially for bottles, tubes, cans and the like with [51] Int. Cl B65d 41/18 a pouring part and a pouring nozzle which can be [58] Field of Search 222/499, 498, 502, 546, fixed on the filling or pouring end of a container or 222/545, 562, 570; 215/46 R, 41 which is shaped thereon and with a closure cap which can be engaged on the pouring part by means of a [56] References Cited snap-in device, the closure cap consisting of a flexible UNITED STATES PATENTS jacket and asealing part acting on the pouring part.

2,831,613 4/1958 Soffer i. 222/545 X 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 4 9 t I 53 2 N 25 2% CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS Container closures of this kind are already known, The preferred forms are screw and snap-in closures with which, however, in most cases both hands are needed for removing the cap from the neck of the container and for placing it on the same. Snap-in closures are usually difficult to handle to obtain a good sealing effect and therefore rather unsuitable for certain types of containers.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a container closure which can be handled comfortably with one hand and all the same provides an excellent sealing effect.

The container closure of the present invention is characterized in that the pouring part has at its lower end a lifting surface running around it on the outside and directed obliquely inwardly. and upwardly andafirst, essentially cylindrical guiding surface above the lifting surface, and

the closure cap is provided at the lower end of the cap jacket with arim shaped as support partlying oppositethe. liftingsurface on' the pouring'part, and

with a second cylindrical guidingisurface which lies opposite the first guiding surface on the pouring part for cooperating with the same,

the inclination of the lifting'surface on the pouring part being chosen so that, when the. cap jacket is pressed inwardly, the support part is moved upwardly at the1lower'end'thereof on" the lifting:sur-

face and that such a long axial'movement'arises be tween the pouringpart-and the closurecapby cooperation of the'first and the second guiding surfaces that the engagement of the snap-in deviceacting between the pouring part and the closure capis detached.

In a preferred embodiment.of.the container closure; the second guidesurface is provided on a tube-shaped member shaped. on the-upper partof theclosure cap and extends downwardly overthefirstguide surface Preferably, thegpart of'the snapdn device connected with the closure cap has a tubular basesection'and a resilient pinching: section the. lower-end of which is shaped as projection which, engages -under'a pinching edge on the pouring part.

Examples of the object of the invention are herein'after described by' means of the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows-a cross-section through a first embodiment of the container closure'when used on'a-bottle-or a can; the partof the figure situated -on"th'e'left-'handside of thelongitudinal. axis showing the closure cap, in

a position anchoredionthe pouring part and the figurepart situated onthe-right-hand side-of the longitudinal axis showing .theclosure 'cap' when detached from the pouring part,

FIGLZshows a partialcross-section through a second embodiment of the container closure used as a-tube closure, and

jacketto form :only -one piece In FIGJl, 1 means the range of theopeningof a-bottle or/of acan. The :range :of' theopening form's a ne'ck part and is providedcwithidoublewave2,2 extending" aroundthetneck whichimakes it possible to place apouring ,part 3 thereon man-absolutely fluidtight m'an-' ner, the pouring part being anchored on at least one of the waves (2) also in a mechanically safe manner. As can be seen in FIG. I,- the waves are preferably shaped to fulfil their main task: thus, the narrow, nearly edgeshaped wave 2 preferably serves to mechanically anchor the pouring part 3 on the neck part of the container whereas the flatter, relatively broad engagement surface of wave 2 facing a sealing and centering section 4 of the pouring part mainly serves to provide fluid-tightness. A pouring nozzle 5 is directed towards the sealing and centering section 4 the mouth edge 6 of which is formed as a sealing lip directed outwardly like a trumpet and faces the lower part of the closure cap generally designed by reference number 7.

On the pouring part 3, furthermore, an annular part 8with a pinching edge 9 is provided radially outside the centering portion 4 and outside the pouring nozzle 5, the edge cooperating with a snap-in device 10 on the closure cap 7 as will be described in more detail later on. In the radial prolongation of the connection flange between the centering portion 4 and the annular part 8 is provided afurther flange portion 11 the inner surface of which is-in narrow engagement with the outer surface-of the'end of the container neck and the upper face of which is shaped as conical lifting surface 12 the function of which will also be described later on. Finally', the flange section 11 has at its outer rim a part 13 of the pouring part 3 serving'as mechanical fixation which in use, is tightly applied to the outer surface of the wave 2,-and a jacket section 14, which primarily servesto cover' the lower wave 2' and therefore has a mainly aesthetic task.

The already' mentioned closure cap 7 contains an upper partlS shapedas a cover with which a cap jacket I I6 enclosing the whole cap forms one piece. On its outer face, the cap jacket is made grippy by channelling or by longitudinal ribs l7. To impart to the cap jacket 16 a transverse elasticity as high' as possible while maintaining optimal rigidity in longitudinal direction, the longitudinal ribs 17 are preferably shaped as rigidity impartingelements which are'embraced in a border shaped at'the lower extremity of the jacket as support portionl8. On the lower face of the cap cover or upper part l5is shaped the snap-in device generally designed byreference number 10 which, according to FIG. 1 has the shape of a tubular part on the lower end of which is provided a projection 20 extending around the same. The snap in device, as described hereinafter, must be deformable in radial direction and be relatively rigid in in'ac tive position" to obtain'the intended easy detachability 'of'the closurecap while having an optimal pinching effect in inactive-position. Furthermore, on

the lower face of the cap'coveror upper part 15, there is provided an also tubular centering element 21 with an essentially cylindrical guide surface, the centering cap 'on' the pouring part. This centering element 21, as

described hereinafter, serves to longitudinally guide the cap upondetachin'g the same from thepouring part.

Thecont'ainer closure described with reference to FIG. 1 operates asfollows:

It is assumed that the original condition is the closed positio'nof the closure as described in the left-hand half of FIG; l. The support portion'l8'shaped as rigidifled edge on the lower end of cap'jacket 16 lies over a ring surface 22 shaped as adaption shoulder on the periphery of flange section 11, and projection 20 of the snapin device 10 is engaged under the pinching edge 9 in the lower terminal zone of annular part 8. By engagement of the snap-in device, the closure cap is efficiently pulled towards the pouring part 3 and thereby the mouth edge 6 shaped as tightening lip urged towards the inner surface of the upper part 15 of the cap. The centering element 21 normally lies opposite the inner surface of the pouring nozzle 5, serving as centering surface at a distance, and its foot part 23 eventually centers the mouth edge 6 being under pressure force to assure throughout tight application thereof against the inner surface of the upper part of the cap.

If now the cap jacket 16 is pressed inwardly at one or several locations of its circumference, as shown on the right hand half of FIG. 1 by arrow D, the support portion 18 on the lower edge of the cap extends upwardly along the lifting surface 12. Thereby, the cap part 15 carrying the snap-in device is essentially lifted in axial direction and the snap-in connection between pinching edge 9 and circular projection 20 excessively strained whereby it is caused to disengage at least on a part of its entire range. By further inward pressure of the cap jacket, the snap-in connection is detached over the whole engagement zone, and the closure cap can be easily removed using the same fingers as for exerting pressure on the cap jacket. One hand use of the closure is thereby assured. The centering element 21, or the respective guide surface prevents the other cap sections from being displaced to make removal of the cap more difficult whole the cap jacket is depressed on one side or diagonally.

Insertion of the closure cap is effect by simple introduction of centering element 21 into the opening of the pouring nozzle 5 whereby an efflcient pre-centering on the pouring part takes place. The lower end of snap-in device 10 thereby easily finds the preferably oblique introduction opening 9 on the annular portion 8, and by appropriate pressure on the upper part of closure cap 7, the projection again is engaged under the pinching edge 9.

As will be understood from the above, the closure cap must consist of a relatively soft material. It is particularly advantageous to use soft synthetic material or rubber. In principle, the same materials may also be used for the pouring portion, but it might also be somewhat harder than the material of the closure cap. It is however important that the sealing lip is not too hard at the mouth edge 6 of the pouring nozzle, should the same remain resiliently appliable on the cover of the closure cap. Naturally, the sealing effect could also be obtained by an annular body in the base of the annular groove between the snap-in device 10 and the centering element 21, which however would call for a further closure element.

The snap-in force of snap-in device 10 can be modified by providing, as end facing the circular projection 20, not a closed ring, but a row of ring segments interrupted by radial slots.

A further element of the container closure according to the present invention can be seen in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 24 designates a sealing plate which is connected with the pouring part 3 via indented ring 25 to form one piece. This indented ring forms in a known manner a potential breaking location along which the sealing plate 24 can be pulled out by pulling on a tearing flap 26 and removed.

A further embodiment of the container closure of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 in which a tube closure is shown in partial cross-section. Reference numeral 31 designates the upper end of a tube on the neck 32 of which an emptying stopper is placed which is designated as pouring part 33 as in FIG. 1 for the reason of unitary terminology. At the lower end of the tube neck 32 is provided a circular bulge 34 on which an anchoring part 35 is provided for being engaged with the lower end of the pouring bore which is to create a reliable mechanical connection between the tube neck and the pouring part. Above the bulge 34, there is provided a practically cylindrical section 36 which, together with the stop shoulder 37, acts as sealing zone. In the upper central zone of the pouring part, there is shaped a dispensing tube, also designed as pouring nozzle 38 for the sake of unitary terminology, the output end of which is shaped as sealing surface coating with the upper part 39 of the closure cap 40.

Coaxially with the tubular central zone of the pouring part 33, an outer part 41 embracing this zone in the form of a shell is provided which is connected with the central zone by means of a connection flange 42 to form one piece therewith. At the upper part of the outer part 41, there is provided a pinching edge 43 facing the central zone with an input hopper 43', practically as shown in FIG. 1, the edge coacting with a snapin device 44 on the closure cap 40 as described with reference to FIG. 1. At the lower end of the outer part 41 is shaped a flange 45 extending downwards obliquely, the lower surface of which is approximately inclined as the upper end of the tube body and is nearly applied on the same. The upper surface of the flange 45 is shaped as conical lifting surface 46 the function of which corresponds to the function of the lifting surface 12 in FIG. 1. The outer rim of the flange 45 isan annular surface shaped as adaption shoulder 47.

On the upper part 39 of the already mentioned closure cap, shaped as a cover and the jacket of which is made grippy by channelling or by longitudinal ribs 49, again a tubular centering element 50 with an essentially cylindrical guide surface is provided, which, while maintaining an appropriate play distance, embraces the outer face of the outer part 41 of the pouring part 33 and permits rough centering of the closure cap on the pouring part. The functions of this centering element are in principle the same as of the centering element 21 of FIG. 1. It extends, however, as shown in FIG. 2, not into the pouring nozzle, but embraces a part of the pouring part lying radially outside this nozzle. The longitudinal ribs 49 can, as described with respect to the longitudinal ribs of FIG. 1, flow into a support portion at the lower end of the jacket shaped as marginal zone.

Radially within the centering element 50 and on the lower face of the cap cover or upper part 39, there is shaped the snap-in device, generally designed by reference numeral 44, the upper part, as in FIG. 1, has the shape of a tubular portion, at the lower end of which, dents 51 are shaped which are separated from each other by slots 52 and have barbed hooks 53 at their lower end. These barbed hooks, when the cap 40 is placed on the neck of the container, engage under the pinching edge 43. Furthermore, on the lower face of the cap cover or upper part 39, a sealing bulge 54 is provided the position and size of which is adapted to the cross-sectional surface of thepouring nozzle 38 and assures reliable sealing of the pouring nozzle when the cap is placed on the neck of the container.

The container closure shown in FIG. 2 is in a position as placed on the neck of a container and engaged therewith as distinctly'appears from the cross-sectioned part in the left-hand half of FIG. 2. If, as described in detail with reference to FIG. 1, a more or less big part of the surface of the cap jacket is depressed, the closure cap can be detached as already mentioned. Also the insertion of the closure cap is effected in principle de scribed above. The container closure of the present invention can of course also be shaped on the filling or pouring end of a container as shown in FIG. 3 with reference to a tube closure. 61 therein designates the upper end of a tube jacket on which is shaped a dispensing portion also designated as pouring part 62 for the sake of terminology as before. This pouring portion contains in its upper part a dispensing tube designated as pouring nozzle 63 the output end of which, as described with reference to FIG. 2, serves as sealing surface cooperating with the upper part 64 of the closure cap 65.

Coaxially with the pouring nozzle 63, an annular outer part 66 shaped on the pouring part 62 is provided at the upper edge of which, as in FIG. 2, a pinching edge 67 facing the pouring nozzle 62 is provided. This pinching edge cooperates as already described, by means of a snap-in device 68 on the closure cap 65. The outer part 66 continues downwards in a wall section 69 which continues at its lower extremity in a flange 70. Its upper face is shaped as lifting surface 71 and serves the same purpose as the lifting surfaces 12 or 46 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

On the upper part 64 of the already mentioned closure cap 65 shaped as cover, the jacket 65 of which closure cap can be shaped as described with reference to FIG. 2, again a tubular centering element 72 with an essentially cylindrical guide surface is provided, the centering element 72 embracing the outer face of the outer part 66 serving as guide surface 66' while maintaining an appropriate play distance.

Radially within the centering element 72 and on the lower surface of the cap cover or upper part 64, the snap-in device, generally designated by reference 68 is shaped the shape and task of which have already been described with reference to FIG. 2. On the lower face of the upper part 64, again a sealing ring 73 is provided which assures reliable sealing between the pouring nozzle 63 and the closure cap 65.

The container closure shown in FIG. 3, as the one of FIG. 2, is in inserted and engaged position. If, as especially described with reference to FIG. 1, one presses against a more or less big part of the surface of the cap jacket, the closure cap can be comfortably removed in the already described manner.

Whereas, in the shown examples, the projection or the barbed hooks S3 and 68', respectively, of the snap-in device, are pressed against the pinching edge from the inside, it is also possible to provide the reverse arrangement. This calls, however, for a somewhat bigger mobility of the section carrying the projection or respectively the barbed hooks of the snap-in device. The tubular part of the snap-in device can, as persons acquainted with the art will see easily, be shaped itself as centering or guiding element by suitable measures or provided with an additional portion which fulfils the above-described centering or guiding functions. Furthermore, the lifting surfaces 12, 46 and 71 have each time been described as conical surfaces. These lifting surfaces, however, in a way not shown, can be shaped progressively rising towards the axis of the opening of the container.

I claim:

1. A container closure comprising pouring means on a container, said pouring means including a pouring nozzle, a cap engaging edge, and a lifting surface. said lifting surface extending obliquely inwardly and upwardly, and a closure cap for cooperation with said pouring means, said closure cap including an outer elastically deformable cap jacket having a lower edge comprising a support rim for cooperation with said lifting surface, said closure cap further including a snap-in device for copperatio n with said cap engaging edge on said pouring means, said closure cap having a portion thereof engaging portions of said pouring means in sealing engagement therewith, said deformable cap jacket upon deformation causing said support rim to engage said lifting surface thereby causing said closure cap to move upwardly as the deformable cap jacket is moved inwardly so as to disengage said snap-in device from said cap engaging edge on said pouring means to release said closure cap.

2. A container closure according to claim 1 and further including a cylindrical centering surface on said pouring means and a cylindrical centering element on said closure cap and adapted to fit concentrically with said centering surface.

3. A container closure according to claim 1 wherein said cap engaging edge on said pouring means includes an upwardly extending cylindrical surface having a laterally extending projection thereon and said snap-in device on said closure cap includes a downwardly extending annular member having a cooperating pinching edge on the lower end thereof.

4. A container closure according to claim 3 wherein said downwardly extending annular member includes a plurality of radial slots.

5. A container closure according to claim 1 wherein said pouring nozzle includes an outwardly and upwardly extending lip on the upper edge thereof for sea]- ing engagement with said closure cap.

6. A container closure according to claim 5 and further including a tearable sealing plate covering the opening in the pouring means.

7. A container closure according to claim 1 and further including a cylindrical centering surface on said pouring means and a cylindrical centering element on said closure cap and adapted to fit outside and in concentric relation with respect to said cylindrical centering surface and wherein said pouring means includes anchoring means for engagement with a flange on a container.

8. A container closure according to claim 1 and further including a cylindrical centering surface on said pouring means and a cylindrical centering element on said closure cap and adapted to fit outside and in concentric relation with respect to said cylindrical centering surface and wherein said pouring means is integrally formed with the container. 

1. A container closure comprising pouring means on a container, said pouring means including a pouring nozzle, a cap engaging edge, and a lifting surface, said lifting surface extending obliquely inwardly and upwardly, and a closure cap for cooperation with said pouring means, said closure cap including an outer elastically deformable cap jacket having a lower edge comprising a support rim for cooperation with said lifting surface, said closure cap further including a snap-in device for copperation with said cap engaging edge on said pouring means, said closure cap having a portion thereof engaging portions of said pouring means in sealing engagement therewith, said deformable cap jacket upon deformation causing said support rim to engage said lifting surface thereby causing said closure cap to move upwardly as the deformable cap jacket is moved inwardly so as to disengage said snap-in device from said cap engaging edge on said pouring means to release said closure cap.
 2. A container closure according to claim 1 and further including a cylindrical centering surface on said pouring means and a cylindrical centering element on said closure cap and adapted to fit concentrically with said centering surface.
 3. A container closure according to claim 1 wherein said cap engaging edge on said pouring means includes an upwardly extendiNg cylindrical surface having a laterally extending projection thereon and said snap-in device on said closure cap includes a downwardly extending annular member having a cooperating pinching edge on the lower end thereof.
 4. A container closure according to claim 3 wherein said downwardly extending annular member includes a plurality of radial slots.
 5. A container closure according to claim 1 wherein said pouring nozzle includes an outwardly and upwardly extending lip on the upper edge thereof for sealing engagement with said closure cap.
 6. A container closure according to claim 5 and further including a tearable sealing plate covering the opening in the pouring means.
 7. A container closure according to claim 1 and further including a cylindrical centering surface on said pouring means and a cylindrical centering element on said closure cap and adapted to fit outside and in concentric relation with respect to said cylindrical centering surface and wherein said pouring means includes anchoring means for engagement with a flange on a container.
 8. A container closure according to claim 1 and further including a cylindrical centering surface on said pouring means and a cylindrical centering element on said closure cap and adapted to fit outside and in concentric relation with respect to said cylindrical centering surface and wherein said pouring means is integrally formed with the container. 